There is an interesting article in the Scottish Sunday Herald called, "Which star’s records are more likely to be used in torture?" The column references a study by Bruce Johnson and Martin Cloonan, who began their research fifteen years ago looking at Balkan instances of music used as torture. They found that songs with violent lyrics were rarely used. Instead, typical torture music includes
the likes of Bing Crosby, Cliff Richard, Whitney Houston, and Tammy WynetteI can definitely see that. They also point out that it's more about repetition and volume than specific content anyway.
The article also has its funny moments. A retail worker's union in Austria actually sued because they were forced to listen to looped Christmas music. They claimed it inflicted "psychological terror." Yes, really. No word on whether or not they won the suit. But it demonstrates yet again, how the definition of what is or is not torture varies wildly.
Have you ever heard of Scott Walker? Check out "The Drift." I think it's pretty awesome but I can also easily see it implemented as an instrument of torture far worse than Whitney Houston. I also know that when I play stuff by groups like, Black Dice while I'm at work people either leave the room or ask me to turn it off. To my co-workers, it seems like torture. Tomorrow I will bring in Scott Walker and observe their reaction.
ReplyDelete"Have you ever heard of Scott Walker? Check out "The Drift." I think it's pretty awesome but I can also easily see it implemented as an instrument of torture far worse than Whitney Houston."
ReplyDeleteI'll check it out. I've heard some things I'd think would make good torture too. But then again, I remember when that Whitney Houston song, "I Will Always Love You" was being played endlessly and everywhere. It was pretty torturous.
You can torture me all day and all night with ABBA.
ReplyDeleteAaaaaaahhhhhh....
There's plenty of music that causes pain - for example, Britney Spears. That says nothing about the Bush administration's denial that waterboarding is torture.
ReplyDelete"That says nothing about the Bush administration's denial that waterboarding is torture."
ReplyDeleteI agree that waterboarding is torture. It may be a relatively mild form, but a technique designed to make people feel like they are drowning in order to force them to talk, qualifies as torture to me.
Interesting. I had heard Metallica was used at one time, but that goes against the non-violent lyrics.
ReplyDelete